Message from Mayor Josh Losardo | March 17, 2023
Every year, Scotch Plains is pleased to play a significant role in the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign (MWC) through the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute.
It is a statewide community health initiative in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Through our ongoing involvement, my office receives the latest tools and strategies to champion healthy and active living, improving the overall health of Scotch Plains.
While I admit that I may be enjoying an extra helping of corned beef at Darby Road’s tent today, I am pleased to promote a program that promotes a healthy diet and exercise for us all. Moreover, the program promotes health through all sectors of Scotch Plains, from youth to seniors, from employees to employers.
I am very proud to say Scotch Plains has been named a “Healthy Town” for the fourth consecutive year through the institute. We were recognized for our efforts last year to address food security, support COVID testing and vaccinations and organize even more programs that promote physical and mental health throughout Scotch Plains.
Each year, Scotch Plains completes a comprehensive Healthy Town Application outlining the research we have done to identify local community health needs and explain how we have further expanded our Mayor’s Wellness Campaign.
There is a shared commitment among our entire team at town hall, as well as countless volunteers, to provide our residents with a wide variety of exciting programming that encourages healthy behaviors. For people of all ages, we remain firmly committed to offering active and passive recreational opportunities, as well as information about healthy living and healthy eating.
One of Scotch Plains’ consistent areas of strength is our strong community partnerships. Collaborating with local organizations expands the reach of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign and enables a wide range of health and wellness programing to be offered to residents.
This year, a number of programs are already in the works, with the first event set for this Saturday, March 18. It will be the SBA 5K Run & Walk, with the funds raised to support the important work of the St. Bartholomew Academy.
Some other healthy events planned:
- The Memorial Day Ruck to Remember is a great way to kick off summer. On May 27, we will once again be joining veterans with American Legion Post 209 for the third-annual event. On May 27, we will all be walking with heavy backpacks, symbolizing the weight that soldiers carry in their role as our protectors and saviors.
- The key annual fundraiser of the New Jersey Sharing Network is its 5K run. The event, on Sunday, June 11, deemed a “Celebration of Life,” features teams of organ donors and recipients, as well as their friends and family, taking to the streets of nearby New Providence to raise money for this vital organization. Read more here.
- Ready to run around the downtown and neighboring streets with hundreds of others? Heck, I am. But you need to wait until Wednesday, June 14 for the annual Patrick’s Downtown Race to Summer. It is a great annual event that began in 2015 and continues to pick up steam, raising money for great local causes.
- Another important part of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign is the Rose Checchio Walk to Wipe out Breast Cancer, set for Saturday, Sept. 30, to raise money and awareness to fight breast cancer. The fundraiser is in partnership with Play for P.I.N.K.
We continue to identify events and happenings within our greater community that can be part of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. Got a great idea? Email me at
And if your grand idea involves lifting a Guinness this evening to salute our Irish friends and family, well, I’ve already thought of that.
